My car

Catastrophically bad car. Had a C250 estate for 13 yerars that was a reasonably good car - apart from rust issues and 50k life glowplugs and one or two other niggles like hopeless air-con (gave up on this in the end. It returned 38mpg against an official combined of 35.6. So, with the new one reportedly doing 55.4, with like use I expected at least 55. What do I actually get? 44, and that's trying hard to drive economically. Merc. have checked it and say that is accceptable. Acceptable to whom? certainly not to me. I have friends with BMW and Audi diesels, which perform near to how they claim, yet this car is laughably far away. Blueefficiency? Ha!

On the credit side, the thing looks good, but is best left parked. The steering is vague, and off-centre, the ride barely adequate and there is a load of wind-noise from the driver's door. The elctrics are suspect, with the bonnet sensors unreliable, and frankly I have no confidence I this vehicle at all. Joined the RAC as if Mobilo is as useless as the rest of the Merc systems, I'll need it sooner not later...

Also worth noting that the Audio 20 system is neither DAB nor DAB adaptable, so anyone with one of these post 2015 will no longer have a radio. Badly planned.

I have been turned from a Merc enthusiast, to a Merc-hater. This is a car to avoid at all costs. As soon as the latest 3-series estate is available, I'll be getting rid of this dog, and can STRONGLY advise anyone to avoid such like the plague.

C220 CDI Elegance 5dr

Bob Smith
,
West Yorkshire
.
Date:
19/05/2011

Overall verdict

3
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

4
out of 5 stars

Running costs

2
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

4
out of 5 stars

My car

Took delivery of the new face lifted C220 CDI Elegance Estate 3 weeks ago. Covering only 300 miles a deer decided to jump out in front of me which put the car in the shop for a good week.
I've covered just over 1200 miles so far and the problems i'm suffering with are:

1. It pulls to the left, tried on different road surfaces, checked all tyre pressures are correct, etc and it still does it. Mercedes had it for a day and they couldn't find anything wrong with it - tracking, etc was all fine. Although they did say these cars were quite sensitive to the camber of the road????

2. I'm getting an engine rumble/chatter throughout the rev range. Again Mercedes say there's nothing wrong with it and that the diagnostics came up fine.

3. Front parking sensors - have a mind of there own, even when i'm parked infront of nothing they go crazy. Not reported this yet.

4. Strange spring pulling sound coming from drivers side near the handbrake release - again reported and they say fixed. But still happening, albeit a little less.

This is my first Mercedes having moved away from BMW's and Audi's. So far not having a good time with it. Also fuel economy isn't brilliant, this is the blue efficiency model - getting nowhere near the figures quoted. May have to run it in for a few more thousands miles first probably.

C320 CDI Elegance Auto 5dr

Maxim Kostyukovich
,
Surrey
.
Date:
07/03/2011

Overall verdict

4
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

4
out of 5 stars

Running costs

3
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

5
out of 5 stars

Average MPG

27

My car

Done 17K from new since 7/09.
Included many options to "feel the Merc". Sport trim, Auto, Heated seats/mirrors, Rain sensors, Parktronic, robotic boot lid. All was worth it!

- I like:
Styling! Prominent Merc star on the front grille, the ride, quiet salon.
The gadgetry on Mercs is great. 320d felt basic in comparison; Merc has got it all. (Didn't try new A4 yet, though). Can even switch it to kilometres and litres (I did).
Gadgets are about same on C and E - so I could choose smaller car without killing the gadget joy!
This is my first car I can drive 400 miles and reach my destination with my lower back in perfect condition.
Acceleration is usually sufficient even with this 156bhp engine. (Sport mode on though!)
Merc have free roadside assistance if you get serviced on main dealer.

- Don't like:
5sp gearbox does weird jerks on very low RPM. Next time I'll want a 6sp auto.
Economy is _nowhere_ near 47mpg motorway/37+ mph avg stated by M-B. The best I could do on long motorway trip was 37-38 mpg and on average 27-28 mpg. That with quite an effort to hypermile. At 60-65 mph economy is OK, but worsens notably starting on 75 mph already. But then, lower tax & insurance compensate for lost fun.
All from M-B is expensive. For a tiny prob Merc quoted me £1200 for new bumper, but an indie fixed all for £50!

What would I change next time? Probably get a 250CGI... and would test drive the Audi A4 2.0 TFSI as well.

*** But I still enjoy this car very much.

C180K Sport 5dr

David Brazier
Date:
09/10/2008

Overall verdict

3
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

3
out of 5 stars

Running costs

4
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

3
out of 5 stars

Average MPG

34

My car

The new Mercedes C class estate is a bit of a curates egg (good in parts) First the good bits. The styling is stunning. Economy is excellent. I regularly return 38 - 39mpg on a run. Anyone concerned about deciding for the C180K be assured the performance is perfectly adequate. Handling is excellent although with the benefit of hindsight I would not opt for the sport model again due to the low profile tyres.
I test drove the Audi A4, BMW 3 series and the Lexus IS (saloon) and decided on the Mercedes as it offered the best overall compromise. The Lexus was too cramped in the back, the Audi new model was "around the corner" and the BMW too poorly specified as well as too common.
Now the bad bits. The auto transmission for a so called quality car is crude in comparison to BMW and Lexus. There is a noticeable "clonk" when engaging drive and the changes are ponderous. It is worth noting that BMW and Lexus have 6 speed transmissions compared to the 5 speed in the smaller engined Mercedes.I also agree with the comment that the interior lacks quality. Its not especially bad, just nothing special. How does Mercedes manage to make real leather look like cheap plastic? Lastly, I am not convinced of the durability and quality. The (plastic) chrome on the front grille was already holed at 4,000 miles on the clock (even entry level Fords are better)
Would I buy Mercedes again? Probably not. The new A4 for me sets the standard.